Branch County, Michigan
Use this county page to find the right government office or narrow down to a city or township. The service directory covers common county jobs; the local pages add property-tax context, school-district rate ranges, nearby places, and Porch Notes tied to each community.
County snapshot
Cities
2
Townships
16
School districts
11
Primary home (PRE) rates, for homes with Michigan's Principal Residence Exemption, range from 21.7551 mills to 43.8489 mills.
Other property, often called non-homestead, usually means rentals, vacation homes, and second homes. Those rates range from 39.7551 mills to 61.8489 mills.
Rate rows come from the official Michigan Treasury millage-rate reports . Data used: 2025 Michigan Treasury Total Property Tax Rates. Last reviewed July 12, 2026.
Use this carefully: Michigan Porch uses the statewide published rates as a planning aid. The local assessor or treasurer controls parcel-specific values, due dates, and special assessments.
County service directory
Find the office before you make the trip
Some questions stay with the city or township. Others move to the county, a health district, or a court. Start with the job you need done, then confirm hours, fees, and forms with the office.
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Marriage licenses, local vital records, and elections
Branch County clerk
Start with the clerk for a marriage license, a county-filed birth or death record, election information, and other county records.
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Deeds, mortgages, and recorded land documents
Branch County register of deeds
Use this office for recorded property documents. It does not decide ownership disputes or tell you whether a deed is legally sufficient.
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Delinquent real-property tax and foreclosure questions
Branch County treasurer
Current bills usually begin with the city or township treasurer. After the local collection period, delinquent real-property tax moves to the county or the state foreclosing unit.
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Private wells, septic systems, and local health services
Local health department
Michigan has county and multi-county health departments. Use the state finder to see which department serves this county before applying or making an appointment.
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District, circuit, probate, or family-court business
Michigan trial courts serving this county
The court depends on the case type and sometimes the city or district. The judiciary directory lists court locations, websites, and contact information by county.
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Countywide assessment data and equalization
Branch County equalization
Your local assessor and Board of Review handle an individual parcel first. County equalization studies values across local units and supports assessment administration.
County websites are checked against the State of Michigan county website directory . State and court finders are used where one office or district can serve more than one county. Directory reviewed July 12, 2026. Office roles were checked against Michigan Vital Records, Michigan Treasury taxpayer resources, and State Tax Commission guidance.
Local pages
Places in Branch County
City
Bronson
1 school district available.
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City
Coldwater
2 school districts available.
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Township
Algansee Township
3 school districts available.
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Township
Batavia Township
3 school districts available.
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Township
Bethel Township
2 school districts available.
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Township
Bronson Township
1 school district available.
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Township
Butler Township
5 school districts available.
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Township
California Township
4 school districts available.
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Township
Coldwater Township
2 school districts available.
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Township
Gilead Township
1 school district available.
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Township
Girard Township
3 school districts available.
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Township
Kinderhook Township
1 school district available.
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Township
Matteson Township
3 school districts available.
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Township
Noble Township
1 school district available.
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Township
Ovid Township
3 school districts available.
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Township
Quincy Township
2 school districts available.
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Township
Sherwood Township
3 school districts available.
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Township
Union Township
2 school districts available.
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Porch Notes
Local notes from Branch County
Stories, practical notes, and local details tied to places in this county.
Branch County · Outdoors
Coldwater Lake State Park, the quiet one
An undeveloped 400-acre state park on Coldwater Lake's south shore in Kinderhook Township, kept rustic for walk-in hunting and fishing.
Read this note ->Branch County · History and culture
Coldwater's State Public School for children
Michigan opened a pioneering state home for orphaned and dependent children in Coldwater in 1874, built on a cottage system other states later copied.
Read this note ->Branch County · History and culture
Quincy borrowed its name from Massachusetts
When the community split from Coldwater Township in 1836, Dr. Hiram Allen suggested naming it after his Massachusetts hometown.
Read this note ->Branch County · History and culture
The Branch County bell that was saved twice
Coldwater's 1887 courthouse bell and clock survived a 1972 arson fire and were rebuilt into a freestanding tower, dedicated in 1988.
Read this note ->Branch County · History and culture
The Little River Railroad steam train
A volunteer nonprofit runs a 1911 Baldwin steam locomotive on excursion trips from Coldwater to Quincy, with the engine turned by hand at the layover.
Read this note ->Branch County · Outdoors
The Sauk River and the chain of lakes
The Sauk River drains Branch County's Coldwater chain of lakes from Marble Lake's outflow, eventually feeding the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan.
Read this note ->Next steps
What to check next in Branch County
Start with a local page, then move into the Michigan rule or tool that matches the question in front of you.
- Tool Estimate a buyer tax bill Use the Michigan homebuyer tax calculator when you have a price, place, and school district. Open calculator ->
- Question Understand uncapping See why a buyer's first full-year tax bill can differ from the seller's old bill. Read the guide ->
- Places Search statewide Look up another city, township, village, county, or school district. Browse places ->
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